Those familiar with the automobile industry have undoubtedly heard the phrase “clean diesel”. Diesel fuel hasn’t always come with a “clean” connotation. I remember being a kid in the 1970s. It was easy to figure out which cars had diesel engines, just look for the nasty smoke coming from the tailpipe. Sure, they were more fuel-efficient but they emitted stinky sulfur-containing smoke that contributed to pollution levels. Some of today’s diesel engines have emission levels that rival some gasoline/electric hybrids.

 

Diesels are a hot spot in the battle against reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In order to help combat this problem, and boost green jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently awarded Recovery Act funding to several southeastern chapters of the American Lung Association.

 

More than $1 million has been awarded to chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The funds are targeted at reducing diesel emissions from commercial trucks.

 

“This project will reduce diesel emissions from approximately 180 vehicles by replacing older trucks with vehicles using cleaner diesel technologies and installing battery-powered air conditioners in existing trucks to reduce engine idling. It is estimated that the project will result in emissions reductions of 764.9 tons of nitrogen oxides, 19.7 tons of particulate matter, 2.3 tons of hydrocarbons and 9.5 tons of carbon monoxide.” Source: EPA

 

Recovery Act funding was also awarded to the City of Phoenix (Arizona), the Kentucky Association of General Contractors, and Cascade Sierra Solutions (NJ/NY area) to reduce diesel emissions and create jobs in those areas.